In Praise of the Elmarit-M 90

[wlaidlaw]

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Yes 11807 - Black 11808 - Chrome and 11899 Titanium finish, made from 1990 to 2007 (ish). I suspect most of the 2007 ones were mainly 2006 stock retrofitted with coded mounts, sold to meet the 30% discount offer for early M8 adopters, just like my 28-35-50 Tri-Elmar.

 

I tried to buy a new coded Elmarit M in March 2007 and failed, so ended up buying a mint second hand one. The German dealer sent it straight off to Solms to get it coded but it came back after 6 weeks, uncoded in a service dept error. I got a refund and am still using it hand coded, as it is an easy code, 100110, just two black blobs.

 

Ergonomically, with its built in hood and smaller footprint, the Elmarit-M 90 is superior to the Summarit and certainly optically, better than my 75 Summarit (a very early one, so maybe not representative).

 

Wilson

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[tom0511]

I al own and like the 90 Elmarit.

However I think the 100% crop of your Summicron image there must be something wrong. I bet it is either shake or wrong focus (I guess the second).

It cant be that soft.

[algrove]

Yes 11807 - Black 11808 - Chrome and 11899 Titanium finish, made from 1990 to 2007 (ish). I suspect most of the 2007 ones were mainly 2006 stock retrofitted with coded mounts, sold to meet the 30% discount offer for early M8 adopters, just like my 28-35-50 Tri-Elmar.

 

I tried to buy a new coded Elmarit M in March 2007 and failed, so ended up buying a mint second hand one. The German dealer sent it straight off to Solms to get it coded but it came back after 6 weeks, uncoded in a service dept error. I got a refund and am still using it hand coded, as it is an easy code, 100110, just two black blobs.

 

Ergonomically, with its built in hood and smaller footprint, the Elmarit-M 90 is superior to the Summarit and certainly optically, better than my 75 Summarit (a very early one, so maybe not representative).

 

Wilson

 

Confused. How does "100110" make "just two black blobs"?

[lct]

Wilson meant 100110 = three black blobs obviously.

Leica M Lens Codes

[wlaidlaw]

Wilson meant 100110 = three black blobs obviously.

Leica M Lens Codes

 

I didn't: one narrow blob and one wide one = two. I should have elaborated.

 

Wilson

[asiafish]

I've been looking at 90s and ended up buying (on a whim) the older 1960s 90 Elmarit.  By the serial number mine was made in 1974, making it one of the last.  So far I'm happy with the results, sharp enough for pleasing portraits wide-open and sharp enough for anything by f/5.6.

[jonatdonuts]

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Hi guys, was wondering if the heavier weight of the chromed brass version helped to minimise motion blur as opposed to the lighter black version. I would be using this primarily for handheld shots. 

 

Many thanks.

[Exodies]

Based on the observed fact that a light grip on a monopod will hold it steadier than a heavy grip, I would guess that a lighter camera can be held steadier than a heavy one but i’ve not experienced that.

[Tailwagger]

Hi guys, was wondering if the heavier weight of the chromed brass version helped to minimise motion blur as opposed to the lighter black version. I would be using this primarily for handheld shots. 

 

Many thanks.

Pure speculation, but my sense across the lenses I own is the opposite of what you suggest. A heavier lens is more of a lever on the body, which makes it hard to keep the body steady. 

[rramesh]

I too bought a Elmarit-M 90 uncoded. Sent it shortly after to Leica for coding and calibration for digital M. The latter seems to have brought about a significant improvement.